PNC lawmakers suggest introducing financial incentives to have more babies

Lawmakers from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) suggested on Tuesday that the Maldives should introduce financial incentives to encourage people to have more babies and boost the country’s birth rate.

The remarks came during a debate on Tuesday morning on the reemployment bill – legislature submitted by the government to pave the path for people reach the mandatory retirement age of 65 to get reemployed.

Speaking during the debate, Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau, the senior deputy leader of PNC’s parliamentary group, expressed concern over Maldives’ declining birth rate.

He said that it is important that the government formulate policies to manage the situation and boost the birth rate, which could include housing or other incentives.

Kudahuvadhoo MP Hussain Hameed was of a similar opinion. He said that the future implications of the declining birth rate deserve further thought.

He said that a country needs a sizable young population to drive growth and productivity.

“It has become a trend now for couples to have no more than one or two children,” he said.

Hameed said that the government needs to introduce pronatalist policies, and suggested introducing financial incentives for couples who have more than two children.

He said that Japan and several other countries with aging populations have adopted similar measures.

A survey report released by the Maldives National University (MNU) in May shows that more and more couples are choosing to have no or fewer children due to financial constraints and lack of access to proper housing.